Graduation in the Time of COVID
The end of the second COVID school year is near, and many parents are asking whether their school district has met the requirements of their child’s Individual Education Program (IEP). For students expected to graduate this year, these questions are particularly...Graduation and Compensatory Education
Throughout the pandemic, students with transition services, especially community-based instruction, and off-site job placements, have found that services could not be implemented due to business closures or gathering restrictions. In its “The Road Back”...IEP Meetings in the Time of COVID-19
The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the midst of IEP season has left parents and school districts with significant challenges in conducting regular IEP meetings. Federal law has always allowed IEP teams to meet remotely by video conference or telephone. Section...Better IEPs: Share Progress Data to Improve IEP Team Communication
By Jessica Lenhart Progress monitoring is essential to ensuring that a student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is appropriate. Research reveals that sharing progress data is a best practice for improving IEP meetings. (i) Yet, the failure to properly report and...Better IEPs: Five Strategies for Developing an Effective PLAAFP
By Denver Leigh When we talk about IEPs (Individualized Education Plans), often the goals, objectives, accommodations and modifications get all the attention. True, those four components form critical parts of an IEP; however, in my experience as both a parent and...Better IEPs: 5 Ways for Principals to Supercharge IEP Meetings
By Jennifer Kuhr Butterfoss Here are 5 things a school principal can do before, during, and after IEP meetings to leverage relationships with staff and further your bigger school-wide efforts: 1. Visit the student in class a day or two before the meeting It can feel...Better IEPs: Supports for School Personnel
Consider this Scenario: A child with autism attends school in a mainstream classroom. Although she is progressing academically, her teacher isn’t sure how to handle situations that make her upset, such as when she doesn’t understand an assignment or during unexpected...The New IEP: Using Strengths to Set Goals
By Katie Curran, MAPP It’s that time of year – IEP season! Whether you are a parent of a child who needs an Individualized Education Program or a special educator tasked with writing the plan, you are likely preparing for upcoming meetings. These meetings aim to set...Tips: Encouraging Student Participation in IEP Meetings
There are many ways to include students in their Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, and every student is different. Below are some essential tips to remember when encouraging student participation in IEP meetings. Speak openly with your student about...Better IEPs: Trauma-Sensitive IEPs
Recent research points to one of the most effective ways to overcome adverse childhood experiences and promote more positive outcomes – relationships. These can be with typical peers, mentors, or kind and caring adults. They can provide safe and supportive learning...NJCommonGround.org, and the Common Ground E-newsletter are projects of the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities
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- The Right to a Free and Appropriate Public Education
- What to Do if You Suspect Your Child has a Disability Impacting Their Education
- Initial Special Education Evaluations and Eligibility
- The Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Special Education Placement
- Q&A: What are Extended School Year (ESY) Services?
- Q&A: Dispute Resolution